Is anyone willing to weigh in on whether or not to mount a motor on a getaway? How does it hold up? I'm not really interested in the debate over whether or not a motor should be on a beach cat, but rather, who's had experience with them.

From what I've found it's about 50/50. Half of those who have them hate them, the other half loves them.

G'day Mike, From where I live, it's hard to get out onto the water from the canals, unless the wind is behind. many of us here in OZ have some sort of motor. It needs to be quick to deploy as sometimes you don't have much time to come about and into the wind. Capsize is another issue, the electric motors seem to be the go. Have a look at "Cheeta motor mount or home made" and you will see what some of us use over here. cheers.

On the topic of motors, how do the motors handle capsizing. I don't think the getaway with the mast bob would turtle but if I ever do go over, will the motor (mine's a gas powered 2hp Honda 4 storke) start. What if the motor does go under, is there anything you can do to salvage the motor once it's been submerged?

We have an older Min Kota Rip Tide saltwater series 40lb trolling motor on a Cheata mount. We couldn't launch from many boat ramps without it due to the position relative to the wind and often the lack of a dock. The motor does not hit the water when the boat flips on a side, but I don't believe it would hurt it if it did submerge. The bigger concern is whether the car battery will go south, potentially spilling acid or pulling the motor along with it. We pulled the cooler lid off our right hull and mounted a battery box. It has proved very secure, and hasn't leaked, when we capsize (with the bob in place, so we don't turn turtle.) FYI, a 40lb electric trolling motor will push the boat at about five mph if you aren't fighting wind or current. At full power we get at least an hour from a relatively small deep cycle battery.

I have a 2006 Getaway and sail it off the Gulf coast of Florida. I bought the boat off Ebay, it was 3 months old and came with a 2hp Honda 4 stroke motor. I sail alone often and use to really enjoy bad weather conditions. I am a little smarter now.

So, yes, I've flipped the boat with the motor on it. Yes, the motor and the mount stayed on the boat with the boat on it's side and thru the righting process. On one particularly bad day, there was no way to sail home. I dropped the sail, lashed it down and fired up the motor. The waves were coming over the boat with great frequency. There were times the motor shut off simply because it was completely underwater for extended periods. It always restarted.

The Cheata mount looks fragile but I have never had a problem with it, and it has taken some abuse. The little Honda 4 stroke is one tough motor.

I have a 2006 Getaway and sail it off the Gulf coast of Florida. I bought the boat off Ebay, it was 3 months old and came with a 2hp Honda 4 stroke motor. I sail alone often and use to really enjoy bad weather conditions. I am a little smarter now.

So, yes, I've flipped the boat with the motor on it. Yes, the motor and the mount stayed on the boat with the boat on it's side and thru the righting process. On one particularly bad day, there was no way to sail home. I dropped the sail, lashed it down and fired up the motor. The waves were coming over the boat with great frequency. There were times the motor shut off simply because it was completely underwater for extended periods. It always restarted.

The Cheata mount looks fragile but I have never had a problem with it, and it has taken some abuse. The little Honda 4 stroke is one tough motor.

They work really well together and extend your sailing options.

I agree, the Honda 4 stroke and the Mercury have given us the best run, I like the Torqeedo too!

Mostly I was trying to keep the boat right side up and stay on it. The first time the motor shut off I was a little concerned, but it started right up. I was worried about water getting in the vent on the gas cap. For awhile, I would open and close it as waves permitted. But what I found worked best was locking the motor facing straight ahead, then moving far forward on the tramp and steering with the rudders. This kept the motor a little higher out of the water and it didn't get buried after that.

I recently installed a Cheeta motor mount and Torqueedo Travel - works great on our Getaway - my wife and I had one experience too many with wind dying during an evening sail on the Chesapeake - mosquitos ate us alive one night, so she became reluctant. Now we are confident that we'll get back.